Whistler Ski Holidays

Description

Whistler takes pride of place among Canada and North America’s finest and most popular ski resorts, and you only have to spend a day or so there to see why. It’s a very pretty town with bags of character, it’s unbelievably friendly, it has an amazing beer and food scene, it regularly receives buckets of fresh snow, the lifts are swift and modern, and the skiing is exceptional!

The resort sits at 670m with lifts running up to just under 3,000m, and no matter where you base yourself, you’re never too far from the nearest gondola.

Whistler joined forces with the neighbouring peak — Blackcomb — in recent years, and they’re linked together by the mighty Peak2Peak gondola. Regular visitors and locals inevitably prefer one side over the other, but during a 7- or 10-day visit you can certainly make the most of both.

Both peaks are tree-lined and sheltered on the lower slopes, with plenty of good learner terrain to be found. As you head up the mountain, the gradient becomes steeper and the scenery more dramatic. Huge glades, forests and bowls offer exceptional backcountry skiing — it’s a freerider’s paradise!

One of the key reasons behind Whistler’s long-term success is its open approach, and families are made just as welcome as groups of friends looking to party. Parents with children in tow can choose from any of the family-friendly eateries around resort and, up on the slopes, the support and infrastructure in place for visiting skiers is superb.

When it comes to parks and powder (or freestyle and freeride) Whistler has it covered. On the freestyle side, there are a number of impressive snow-parks located across Whistler-Blackcomb, with hits and kickers to suit all abilities. If the fresh snow falls, powder-hounds can bounce through some of the best snow Canada has to offer, and heli-skiing is popular. You can make fresh tracks through pine forest, carve down the steep and deep or ride through deep snowdrifts just metres from the pistes. If you’re lucky enough to see fresh snow in Whistler, be sure to hire a guide to make the very most of it. You won’t regret it!

Whistler is laid out very simply, with one long main street running from the central plaza to the base of the lifts. Along the street you’ll find all the ski hire and snowboard shops you’d need, and the bars and restaurants are all within easy reach.

Regarding accommodation, Whistler is home to a high number of hotels, from cheap and cheerful to high-end luxury. Breakfast isn’t always included and many visitors find they have to budget for meals separately, but Whistler has plenty of places to choose from for lunch and dinner. Aside from hotels, visitors to Whistler can book condos or apartments, and standards and locations vary.

Most people visiting Whistler from the UK fly from Heathrow into Vancouver – a flight of around 10 hours. Air Canada fly direct and ski carriage is free. The transfer time from the airport into resort is around 2 hours, and there’s plenty or transfer companies plying the route. In short, accessing Whistler is pretty simple.

Getting There

When to Go

Where to Stay

Getting around

Apres

Don’t visit Whistler expecting Euro-style après ski, because you won’t find it! There are plenty of amazing bars to choose from, where you can tuck into steaming bowls of nachos and cheese, juicy burgers and delicious pizzas, all accompanied by cool pitchers of craft beers from across the valleys and beyond.

There’s also a lively and diverse live music scene in Whistler, with a wide array of talented bands taking to the stage across the resort each night. Merlin’s, the Garibaldi Lift Co (GLC’s) and Dusty’s sit in Blackcomb, Whistler and Creekside respectively, offering a welcoming home for thirsty après-skiers in search of a refreshing pitcher and a place to park up. This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg! The Brewhouse, Dubh Linn Gate, Fitzsimmons Pub and The Whistler Brewing Company are all well worth a look.

Eating out

A foodies’ haven, Whistler is home to an impressive range of restaurants, cafes and eateries with international flavour, and — depending on the foreign exchange rate at the time — prices are good. Sushi, Mexican and Italian dishes are popular, alongside steak and burger joints. If you want to save your dollars for the slopes, there are lots of comparatively inexpensive eateries and, equally, if you’re in search of something special, many of the higher-end hotels house fine-dining restaurants where you can really treat yourself.

Good for Couples

Elements Urban Tapas

4359 Main St #102B

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 932 5569

Good for Couples

The Keg

4429 Sundial Pl

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 932 5151

Good for Couples

Wildflower Restaurant

4599 Chateau Blvd

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 938 2033

Good for Family

El Furniture Warehouse

4314 Main St

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 962 8848

Good for Family

Misty Mountain Pizza

4293 Mountain Square

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 932 2825

Good for Friends

Creekbread

2021 Karen Crescent

BC V0N 1B2

Whistler

+1 604 905 6666

Good for Friends

Longhorn Saloon and Grill

4280 Mountain Square

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 932 5999

Good for Friends

The Brewhouse

4355 Blackcomb Way

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 905 2739

Activities

Whistler sits in the Callaghan Valley, a region of soaring peaks, rugged trails, snow-capped forests and shimmering lakes. If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, you’re in the right place! Away from the slopes there’s a massive range of non-ski activities to choose from, and getting involved with one or two non-ski activities will enrich and enhance your Whistler experience.

Husky sledding

4280 Mountain Square

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 877 938 1616

Skidooing

4050 Whistler Way

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604-932-8484

Snowshoeing

211 – 4293 Mountain Square

BC. V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 855 824 9955

Ski School

Getting around

Family ski

Group Ski

Childcare

Parents in need of a little childcare in Whistler can turn to the resort’s Playgroup, which takes place between 8am - 3.30pm. There are meeting points at the Westin Hotel, Creekside and Blackcomb, and childcare costs around $95 a day.

For older kids of 3 to 5 years, the Teddy Bear Daycare service takes place inside Millennium Place in Whistler Village. With a child-to-staff ration of 8 to 1, fully-qualified staff and full-day care available, it’s a good option for many. Rates are at $99 per day, from 7.30 am to 6pm.